2011 Fantasy Baseball Player Watch: Devin Mesoraco, Cincinnati Reds

Being able to build and utilize a quality watch list throughout a season is paramount to one’s success, especially in the beginning of the season.

One player who hasn’t received a ton of notice is Reds’ catcher Devin Mesoraco, which is surprising, considering the fact that aging Ramon Hernandez (35) is the current starter.

And to think that Hernandez will play 162 games is just plain silly.

Mesoraco is being thought of as the guy who has surpassed fellow prospect Yasmani Grandal, and is in line to inherit the job at the backstop for the Reds.

Last year at Lynchburg, in the Carolina League, Mesoraco hit .335/.414/.620 with 10 homers in 43 games. He was then promoted to Double-A Carolina in the Southern League where he remained hot with a .294/.363/.594 mark in 56 games.

He moved up to Triple-A Louisville and slowed a bit hitting .231/.310/.462 in 14 games.

In four total seasons in the minors, Mesoraco hit .261/.334/.444 with 44 homeruns and 162 RBI with 64 doubles.

Even defensively Mesoraco has thrown out 40% of runners trying to steal on him.

For those in keeper leagues and deeper mixed leagues, Mesoraco is an immediate consideration while remaining a viable player to keep on your watch list since the job behind the plate is more than likely going to be his sooner rather than later.

About Kurt Turner

Kurt's fantasy advice is featured on USA Today Sports, Bleacher Reports, SiriusXM and Fox Sports. He is the owner of FantasyKnuckleheads.com and has been butchering topics here for over 15 years. Follow him on Twitter

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